COMMUNICATIONS. 213 



scenery. The brandies spread out rather horizontally in a fine 

 broad and lofty head ; there are none of the dead and unsightly 

 branches so common on the locust, and the light feathery foliage, 

 lit up in the sunshine, has an airy and transparent look rarely 

 seen in so large a tree, which sometimes produces very happy 

 effects in comparison with other trees. The bark is of a pleasing 

 brown, smooth in surface ; the branches are studded over with 

 curious, long triply-pointed thorns, which also often jut out in 

 clusters in every direction from the trunk of the tree, to the 

 length of four or five inches, giving it a most singular and for- 

 bidding look. In winter, these and the long red pods which hang 

 upon the boughs at that season, give the whole tree a very dis- 

 tinct character. Another recommendation of this tree is the 

 variety of picturesque shapes which it assumes in growing up • 

 sometimes forming a tall pyramidal head of fifty or sixty feet, 

 sometimes a low, horizontally branched tree, and at others it 

 expands into a wide irregular head, quite flattened at the sum- 

 mit. When but a limited extent is devoted to a lawn or garden, 

 this tree should be among the first to obtain a place ; as one or 

 two, mingled with other larger and heavier foliage, will at once 

 produce a charming variety. 



There are some specimens of this fine tree in the vicinity of 

 Milwaukee, having been introduced as early as 1837, by Dr. W. 

 P. Proudfit. It has been recommended, among other plants as a 

 substitute for the English hawthorn for hedges ; but does not 

 seem to be much employed for that purpose. It might be made 

 to answer for such defences as are only intended to guard against 

 cattle, etc., as along the lines of railroads, and on stock farms. 



The trees with leguminose pods growing naturally in the 

 north-western States, but not yet detected growing naturally in 

 Wisconsin, are 



1. The Locust Bohi7ica pseudacacia Linn., extensively cultiva- 

 ted throughout Wisconsin — and deservedly so — on account of 

 the value of the wood and the beauty of the tree for purposes of 

 ornament, &c. 



2. Cercis Canadensis , Linn., Eed Bud, or Judas tree, A small 

 ornamental tree completely covered with bright red flowers early 



